There are so many general residential contractors here in Southwest Florida, choosing the right one for your renovation or remodeling project is an important but daunting task. We hope you’ve been following some of the steps Stone and Tile from Portugal has been offering you and they have gotten you closer to making the right decision. Here are the final steps you should take before signing a contract.
Compare portfolios
If you’ve narrowed down your options to two or three contenders, compare their portfolios. This step is beneficial if you’re looking for a specific type of work. For example, if you want a mosaic tiled floor in your entryway, seeing examples of similar jobs is an excellent way to find a renovation company that is capable of achieving your vision.
Ask to see the portfolio of all the companies that you are considering. There may be a physical portfolio or a website with images. Portfolios should have at least seven or eight projects and should be current. That means they should include pictures of recent projects instead of jobs completed years ago. It’s helpful to see before and after photos so you can see the totality of the project. If possible, review blueprints, sketches, or other plans to get an idea of how a company approaches a project.
Get estimates
By now, you’ve probably eliminated some companies from your list. The next step is to get quotes from the companies still on your list. Ideally, you’ll have three or four to compare.
After visiting your home and discussing the project in-depth, each contractor will provide a brief proposal and estimated cost. This is called a bid. Some bids will include details related to the project timeline and the type of materials the contractor intends to use. Depending on the job parameters and variables, it will also have a total price or a range of prices.
Don’t assume the lowest price is your best option. The materials or amount of work will differ from one contractor to another. For example, prefab cabinets will cost much less than those handmade by a woodworker. You need to ensure you’re comparing apples to apples when looking at bids. Be sure to consider your overall renovation goals, after all, this is your home. As a rule of thumb, labor and materials usually represent about 80% of the project’s overall price, with the rest allocated to overhead and profit margin.
Take your time to review all your bids before accepting one. Don’t let a company pressure you into signing right away by saying their bids are only good for a set period of time. Quality contractors will grant you time to decide.
When you accept a bid, the contractor will provide a contract proposal that includes more details about the project, including the timeline, materials, specific costs and more. After you’ve reviewed it, you’ll sign the contract, and the project will get started.
Take This Into Consideration
We’ve outlined the process for identifying and hiring a home improvement contractor, but there are some other factors that may influence your decision.
Mitigating the Mess— By its nature, a worksite will be messy. But you must live in your home while the project is ongoing, so discuss your contractor’s plans for mitigating dirt, dust, and disruption.
Satisfaction guarantee— If you aren’t satisfied with the outcome of the project, how will your chosen contractor address it? What steps will be taken to ensure your complete satisfaction?
Paths of Communication–Ask the contractor how often he or she will check in with you once work starts. How often can you expect updates and who will serve as the liaison between you and the crew performing the work?
Certified and Insured— Make sure your chosen contractor is certified and has both general liability insurance and workers’ liability insurance. If in doubt, call their carriers to verify.
Let Us Help Start Your Project Today
At Stone & Tile From Portugal, we’re a full-service kitchen and bath renovation company that can handle your project from start to finish. Along with kitchens and baths renovations, we handle custom tile flooring projects, pool patios and much more. Give us a call today at (239)- 223-9577and learn what makes us different from the rest.
